Passed!

Just got confirmation that Lucca passed his Pets as Therapy assessment.  We have a certificate and everything!  Can't wait to start visiting.

Lucca looks a bit surprised in this photo.  His breakfast was slightly delayed by the arrival of the confirmation and that always worries him a little!

Handmade Monday: Poppies, gizmos and more wire work

Are you bored with the wire work yet?  I know I keep posting about it but I can't get enough of it.  This week I finished this set where each bead is caged in twisted wire.  I hand twisted the wire (me and power tools would be a dangerous combination!) and the spirals so the set literally took hours.  Decided not to sell them as the time they took would make them so expensive, and there's always a chance that the twisted wire might snap on knitwear - I wouldn't want to be responsible for ruining someones warm woollen sweater!  Those are just excuses because I want to wear the set myself ;-)  I did make an extra pair of earrings - they'll be going in the shop soon.

Also this week, I invested in a wire coiling gizmo machine.  What an excellent toy!  I can now waste hours at the table turning the handle until I'm mesmerised!  The first real results are these earrings.  I thought the coiled wire looked a bit festive, so I added ruby and green chrysocolla rondelles.  What do you think?

I always like to support the poppy appeal, but at the moment haven't ventured into brooches.  So thinking outside the box, I had a go at some poppy earrings in ruby red jade, onyx and emerald.  They don't lie flat - naughty little gemstones! - but that does give them a quirky little 3D feel!  There's a donation to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with each purchase too, so you can wear these poppies with pride.  Why have one poppy when you can have two?!

Quite a busy week, and I managed to fit in a project management exam as well.  Actually most of these makes were a diversion from revising for that exam if I'm honest.  So if I haven't passed, at least I have something to show for it!!!


Here's the link to see what others handmade crafters have been doing this week.

The dog's blog: An update on my assessment

Hello again,
Lots of you were kind enough to wish me luck with my Pets as Therapy assessment last week (see this blog if you missed it) - thank you.  Well, I'm happy to report it went really well - I got top marks in everything except that right at the start I pulled a bit, which I always do when I'm excited because I'm in a new place.  Even when I was being brushed, I totally resisted the temptation to even try eating the brush!

Yawning!

Mummy and Daddy were so pleased with me that I was immediately taken to Pets at Home to get treats (and a little tug toy gift for my friend Buddy who kindly lent me his short lead for the assessment).  Then we went to the park for a lunchtime walk where I met another three friends, the retired guide dogs, who are always great fun to run around with. 

After all that activity, I was totally flaked for the afternoon! 

Now the forms have to go back to the Pets as Therapy office where they decide whether I'm suitable, which could take three months.  The whole thing was nearly off when Mummy discovered she had to include a photograph of herself with the application as she's totally phobic about having her photo taken.  Anyway, she's decided she can always wear a balaclava during the visits so as not to scare the patients!  Finding a photo of me was not a problem as the place is full of them.  I chose this one where I think I look calm and serene :-)

See you soon,
Lucca  x

The dog's blog: In training

This is me at the end of the Pennine Way in Scotland.

Just a quick blog from me - I've been in serious training since I got back from holiday for my assessment tomorrow and not had time to blog much.  I've never had an assessment before and tomorrow someone will decide if I'm suitable to be a Pets as Therapy dog - there's a link there if you've not heard of the charity which arranges for dogs (and cats) to visit hospitals, hospices and care homes.  Mum thinks I might be suitable, and that having a 'job' would be good stimulation for me.  I don't mind at all, especially if it involves more fussing and petting and lots more people giving me treats. 

So wish me luck.  I've been practising the tasks really hard and the only one I'm really struggling with is not mouthing my brush.  It would just be so much fun to get that brush in my mouth and run like the blazes away from mummy and have a really good chew of it...

Love Lucca  x

Bead soup!

Bead soup - sounds a bit indigestible, doesn't it?  But actually it's this Folksy challenge.

A little bit about Bead Soup… all proceeds are going to the Breast Cancer Campaign, as part of the Folksy bead soup party challenge. Shops that are taking part had the challenge of creating some jewellery with 10 beads, including two focal beads sent by another Folksy shop and adding their own beads to it to create a beautiful item or items to sell with all the proceeds going to Breast Cancer campaign.

These were the beads I was sent by the lovely Imogen’s Imagination on Folksy.

And this is what I made:

If you want to see what else has been made for this great Folksy challenge, you can visit the thread here

Have a look and why not treat yourself to something lovely - knowing that your money is going to a good cause.  If you don't want to buy, it would be great if you were able to publicise the thread with a link on your blog, or through Twitter or Facebook, so that the maximum number of people see the jewellery that's been created and are hopefully tempted to buy and we can raise more money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

Aren't they unusual?  And aren't the Folksters talented? 

Folksy Friday: Comic Relief 2011

All these lovely Folksy sellers are donating to Comic Relief/ Red Nose day this year, so why not pop along to their shops to show your support. 

Red and white crochet hearts by HeloiseV

AuntyJoan is also donating to Tsumani relief, so there's a double reason for getting beautiful cards or ACEOs like this one from her shop...

A tea cosy, or you can wear it on your head!  By Hippo House

Release your inner terrier with this fabulous ACEO by Stone Soup

Wordless Wednesday: Red Nose Day earrings

Carnelian beads and sterling silver earwires.  Only £5 on Folksy, with a donation of £3 to Comic Relief for every pair sold.

A quick shout out for some good causes...

There are some really good folk around raising money for worthy causes in various ways, and if you're a shop owner, there are lots of ways to get involved.  Here are just of couple.

Donated this bracelet to the BHF sale

Mimi, from Mum4Beads is raising money for the British Heart Foundation.  You can read about her efforts and donate here:

http://www.justgiving.com/mrandmrsb

Lots of Folksy sellers have donated items for her event as well.  You can see the Folksy thread about this here.

These larvakite earrings are in the Huskies auctio

Huskies in Need are having a Facebook auction in March.  You can see details here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charity-Auction-for-Huskies-in-Need/179927152041801


There are loads of lovely things to bid for, many of them handmade.  Chris from Chrissys on Folksy has also donated some beautiful handmade cards too.



And a quick reminder that these pink mookaite and rhodonite earrings on sale in my Folksy shop are being sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care:

They'd be a great present for mother's day perhaps?

Children in Need: crafting for charity

Blue Forest Jewellery is having its first charity auction this week.  These items are open to bids from my work colleagues - hopefully they will bid generously because they really want the jewellery, as well as to show their support for charity. So far, after 1 day, the combined bids amount to £42, which I think is a great start!

I'm delighted to be able to contribute in this way.  I'm not one for sports, or dyeing my hair green, or sponsored silences, so I usually end up just sending a cash donation.  This seems like a lot more fun, if a bit more stressful (I don't find it easy blowing my own trumpet, even for charity!) and I'm giving more generously by donating the items too.

Let's hope Friday is a good night and lots of money is raised.  Here's the link if you want to make a direct donation.

Dreamy Wednesday: Pretty things

Some lovely new listings were spotted on Dreamaid this week.
Here's a selection.

I love this doll by Mollys knitted.  In fact, her whole selection is beautiful - perfect toys if you're looking for something traditional, with no hard parts and for a real girly little girl.

These heart charm earrings with purple dragon vein and banded agate by Piggyimp Arts would make a great present.  You know how I love natural semi precious gemstones, and purple is one of Pantone's key colours for 2010 fall.

Very colourful, hand-embroided bag by blueshed crafts.  It's as beautiful inside as it is out - check out the listing to see why.

And lastly, for the person that you thought had everything, and is extremely difficult to buy for, why not try the Bacon and Egg Scarf by The Happy Crocheter?  Truly unique, I think.  Also check out her cheeseburger scarf (yes, you read that right!) and some beautiful cloche hats.

Don't forget to watch out for news of Dreamaid's new sales brochure on their blog and facebook pages.

Dreamaid feature - getting a bit arty

Art and prints is this week's theme from Dreamaid sellers.  Click on any picture to go to the store.

1. Aubaterre photo by PaulWardSmith71

2. Pembrokeshire misty morning photo by Welsh Crafts

3. Highland Cow photo by Jayne Strathdee

4.Chocolate Heaven wall hanging by ANGEL

5. 'A FORÇA VEM DOS PÉS QUE EQUILIBRAM O HOMEM' concrete scultpture by Sanreaah

6. Sunday Morning print by Cbaroneart

Remember, all Dreamaid sales benefit others as well as yourself!

Click here to tweet: Dreamaid: shop with a conscience

Dreamy Thursday - A green theme

Out in the countryside at the weekend, the profusion of different greens was spectacular and really made me think of how nature reflects her colours in plants and, happily for me, in gorgeous gemstones.  I've just added a page here on the blog about jewellery combinations which I really enjoyed putting together - please have a glance and see what you think.  In the meantime, here are some beautiful Dreamaid green makes with a touch of nature added!

 

1. A lovely cup of tea from dottery pottery
2. Beautiful necklace by the Glitter Tree
3. Cuddly greenfly by MinXtures
4. Three bags in one by FFSC
5. Green nebula pendant by Steam Punk Glass
6. Organza hair clip by Stowlyboxx




Click on any of the product pictures to go directly to the shops.

Dreamy Wednesday - Eat me!

Best not to consume any of these items but they will make your mouth water!








1. My all time favourite sweets (my mum worked at Bassett's!) by jacks knits
2.  Lovely cute gooseberry earrings by owl on the sill
3. Just in time for Wimbledon these strawberry earrings by talking beads
4.  Lemon and lime necklace by Blue Forest Jewellery (oh, that's me!)
5. Delicious apple blossom and berry necklace by Janet Lily
6. Most of Birdcage Creative's shop could have featured in this blog, but it's always nice to finish the evening with a Gin and Tonic, so here you go!  Cheers everyone.

Dreamy Wednesday - This weeks favourite picks from Dreamaid

I post an Etsy feature on a Monday or Tuesday and a Folksy Friday, so why not have a Wednesday devoted to Dreamaid?  After all, Wednesday's the day of the week we all starting dreaming of the weekend, isn't it? 

It's great to see more sellers and items on the site this week.  Here are a few of my favourite items posted on Dreamaid in the last few days. Click on any of the pictures to go directly to that item.

This stunning photo of Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, USA caught my eye.  Have to admit, I'd never heard of the place, but now it's definately on my visit list!  John Gaffen is the UK-based artist who shot this and you can see more of his fantastic photos on the Dreamaid site.

I  bought this card from Chrissys for three main reasons:

1.  It's so charming
2.  It's a perfect card for a man (and it doesn't have a picture of a car or someone playing golf on it)
3.  It's particularly perfect for someone who's concerned about the environment.

So that's my brother-in-laws Birthday card sorted in advance.  Thanks Chrissys!

Next up, an artist with a style I really love.  cbaroneart combines a folk art style with stunning colour combinations and a touch of Eastern Europe influence - at least, that's what I think.  You can see more on her blog which has links to Etsy and Folksy shops.

And last but by no means least, here's my second Dreamaid purchase this week:

I bought it as a card, and it's even more beautiful in real life - really intense colours and textures - Wisteria tree by mochalulu.

A great thing about shopping on Dreamaid, besides the fact that you're donating to charity with every purchase, is the customer service.  Both items I bought came within a couple of days and were carefully packaged with lovely extra notes and sentiments.  You know exactly who you are buying from, and can get in touch with the seller whenever you need to.  That's the beauty of buying handmade.

Hope you like these choices.  More to come - watch this space ;-)